According to the Associated Press, Singapore Airlines will end its nonstop commercial flight - the longest in the world - from Singapore to Newark, N.J.
The airline will also end another route from Singapore to Los Angeles, which is about 1,500 miles shorter in distance. Airbus A340-500s are used to fly on both routes. According to the AP, the plane holds 98 business class seats and is being sold for about $8,000 roundtrip. Different airlines carry 250 seats in first, business and economy classes.
The Qantas route between Sydney and Dallas, which is about 8,500 miles, will hold the new record for longest nonstop commercial flights. A 17-hour Delta flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta will be the longest in duration.
As part of an agreement, Singapore Airlines is giving its five A340-500 planes back to Airbus. The airline is ordering five more Airbus A380s plus 20 A350s for $7.5 billion, but will work out a discount. The expected date of delivery of the planes is 2017.
AP reports that the air carrier currently flies 19 A380-800 superjumbos. Twenty A350 planes have already been confirmed for order, with a delivery date starting 2015.
The A340 planes being used at this time on the world's longest flights will no longer be in operation by the end of 2013. A route that connects in Frankfurt will remain in operation at the Singapore Airlines in New York. Los Angeles currently has A380 service by the way of Tokyo, which will also continue.
Read the AP story here.